Switch-turning mechanism.



No. 659,325. Patented 00L 9,1900. W. -L. SELLERS.

SWITCH TURNING MECHANISM;

I (Application filed Apr. 12, 1900.; (No Model.)

JNVENTOR.

MAATTORNEY.

WITNESSES R UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALKER LEWIS SELLERS, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-TURNING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 659,325, dated October 9, 1900. Application filed April 12, 1900. Serial No- 12,563. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALKER LEwIs SEL- LERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 7301 Susquehana street, Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Turning Mechanism; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a switch turning mechanism.

The object of my invention is to providea simple and practical means of operating the switch-point from the car.

I accomplish my object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a plan View of the switch and mechanism. Fig. 2 is an end sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical face view of one of the plungers. Fig. 4 is an end view of the switch-point. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the track and car, shown on a reduced scale.

In all views similar detail parts are designated by numerals of like character.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the track-rails, 2 the switch-plates, and 3 the switch-point, all of which may be of any of. the well-known forms. Secured within a pit between the rails are the stand,- ards 4, 5, 6, and '7. A shaft 8, having a quadrant-gear 9 secured thereon, is mounted to the said standards 4 and 5. Another shaft 10, having a gear-quadrant 11 and crank 12 secured thereon, is mounted to the said standards 6 and 7. Both of these gear-quadrants are connected together by means of a rod 13. The under side of the switch-point is provided with an eyebolt or lug 14, which projects downward therefrom. The switchpoint is connected to the aforesaid crank 12 by means of a rod 15. A pair of vertical plungers 16 are arranged upon the timbers 17, which form the side walls of the pit. These plungers are provided with teeth 18 to engage with the teeth of the quadrant-gears.

Both plungers are loosely attached to the timbers by means of bolts or guide-pins, which engage in the slots 20. In the drawings the switch is shown closed in all views, and when in this position the plunger on the left will be elevated.

To the platform of each car is arranged a pair of hand-levers 21 to depress the plungers when it is desired to operate the switch in either direction.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the switch is closed and the car approaches the same from the right, the lever on the left is pulled into position, as shown by dotted lines at Fig. 5. When the lever comes into engagement with the plunger on that side, the said plunger is forced downward, thereby transmitting movement to the gears and rods to open the switch and elevate the plunger on the other side. If the next car coming in the same direction is to enter the switch, the motorman pulls the lever on the right to engage the plunger and force the switch in a closed position.

In cases Where the railway is equipped with right and left switches or where the car is not turned around on the return trip a pair of levers is provided for each end of the car.

Having thus fully shown and described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a switch, the combination with the shafts and segment-gears mounted on and rocking with said shafts, a pivoted bar connecting said segment-gears, the rack-bars meshing with the teeth of said gears, said bars having elongated slots on either side of the teeth thereof, the stationary headed pins passing through said slots and guiding the rack-bars in theirlongitudinal movements, the switchplate, the switch-point pivoted thereto, an integral lug, on the under side of said switchpoint, guided in a transverse slot in said plate, and crank and pivotal bar connections between said lug and one of said shafts, as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALKER LEWIS SELLERS.

Witnesses:

RICHARD S. HARRISON, JAs. J. MoAEEE. 

